Nyssa aquatica, also known as Water Tupelo, is a majestic tree that can be found in swamps and floodplains of the Eastern United States. This long-lived tree has a distinctive swollen base that tapers to a clear bole, with a root system that is occasionally under water. Often occurring in pure stands, Water Tupelo produces commercial timber that is used for furniture and crates and its wood is favored for carving. Wildlife, including bees, are attracted to its fruit, making it a favored honey tree. The ideal conditions for this polygamo-dioecious tree are annual rainfall averaging 1320mm, with approximately 530mm of rain falling during the primary growing season from April to August. Although fire and forest pests pose a threat, the Water Tupelo remains a resilient and hardy tree that experts can confidently predict will continue to thrive for decades to come.